Judaism, an analysis and an interpretation. By Dr. Israel H. Levinthal, 272 pp. Funk & Wagnalls Co. $2.50.
The real truths for which the Jew has lived throughout the ages are presented by Dr. Levinthal in his book with clarity and in a most popular form. Beginning with the definition of Judaism and up to the last chapter of the book which discusses the Jewish conception of peace and war, Dr. Levinthal deals with the spiritual creation of the Jewish people in all the years of its growth and development.
To Dr. Levinthal Judaism is not only a religion. Every age and every contact with different cultures and peoples has left its impress upon Judaism, Dr. Levinthal asserts. Judaism to him is the accumulation of the best of the teachings of every nation.
Both Jews and non-Jews alike will be interested in studying Dr. Levinthal’s book, which consists of a choice of the best lectures delivered by him during the last ten years. For the Jews Dr. Levinthal’s book is a self-analysis. For the Gentiles this book is the key to the Jewish soul.
Dr. Levinthal also deals in his book with the question “Why Palestine?” He explains the hold that Palestine has upon the heart and the mind of the Jew. It was not only because of the physical degradation which the Jew has suffered ever since he was torn away from Palestine, but because his soul has been cut away from its roots, Dr. Levinthal explains.
The author endeavors also to answer the question as to what the attitude of Judaism should be towards labor. Labor, he says, is a divine quality to the Jew. It is the creative attribute. It was not only in Talmudic times, but down to the Middle Ages that the Jewish sages earned their living as artisans. Maimonides, Dr. Levinthal points out, was a hard-working physician. Spinoza refused a professorship to be a polisher of lenses.
The book by Dr. Levinthal will be well received by all Jewish scholars and those interested in the interpretation of Judaism. It is an example of fine erudition and of popular presentation of theological problems.
Harry Green.
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